Whether you aspire to teach or merely want to learn more about yoga, the Carolina Yoga teacher training is for you. Carolina Yoga is the yoga school comprised of Carrboro Yoga, Durham Yoga, and Hillsborough Yoga in central North Carolina. Just as our studios are responsibly eclectic, covering a wide range of styles and approaches to yoga, our teacher training program is both broad and deep. The program will expose you to the major styles of yoga as practiced in modern America, while giving you a thorough grounding in yoga philosophy as practiced through the ages. Along the way, we will have fun together exploring dance, music, meditation, breathing practices, chanting, and more. At the end of the program, you’ll have a new and full understanding of yoga’s role in your life, as well as the skills to teach and to explore the approaches that resonate best for you. This is only the beginning to your deeper connection with yoga, yourself, and your community!

Our 200-hour Yoga Alliance–registered program will give you a thorough grounding in:

Anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, from both Western and Eastern perspectives

Teaching skills, from language to sequencing to adjustments and modifications

Upon completion, you can apply to the Yoga Alliance for certification at the 200-hour level.

Student Obligations

We recommend you have at least a year of consistent practice before joining our training. To supplement your in-class practice, discussion, and quizzes, you’ll need to commit to a regular personal practice. This will include:

Five days of home or class practice (asana, pranayama, and/or meditation) each week

Attending two classes per week (not necessarily at Carrboro Yoga)

Assisting at classes as the training progresses

You will also be expected to have donated 25 hours of your time to community service, either in the 12 months prior to the commencement of the program or in the 12-month period following the program.

Choose between three formats:

Eight-Month Weekend Program, 2018–19 or 2019–20

Perfect for householders, nine-to-fivers, ruminators, and anyone who prefers time to soak in the experience. The eight-month program is offered annually and meets the second weekend of each month, September through April.

Class Times

Upon acceptance, a $500 deposit will reserve your slot.
Program: $2950 due the first day of the training (this includes the deposit)
Early bird: $2650 if paid in full by July 1 (this includes the deposit)
Installments: $3200 in five payments of a $500 deposit to reserve your spot, then $800 due September 1, November 1, and January 1, and the final $300 due March 1.

During the eight-month program, you may buy class passes at Carolina Yoga Company at a very discounted rate—all your fee goes right to the teachers.

Nine-Week Weekday Hybrid Program, 2019

Perfect for parents of schoolchildren; retirees; or anyone interested in a kind, gentle hybrid of our weekend and our immersion program. We offer this in odd-numbered winters: we meet for nine weeks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, January 15–March 21, 2019. Our inclement weather makeup days are February 12–14; if we do not need to use these days for makeups, you’ll have a rest week.

Class times: 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 12:30–2:00 p.m.

Pricing for the Weekday Hybrid Program

Upon acceptance, a $500 deposit will reserve your slot.
Program: $2950 due the first day of the training (this includes the deposit)
Early bird: $2650 if paid in full by November 15 (this includes the deposit)

During the hybrid program, you may buy class passes at Carolina Yoga Company at a very discounted rate—all your fee goes right to the teachers.

Three-Week Summer Intensive Program, 2020

Perfect for school teachers; high school, college, and graduate students; or anyone who prefers the immersion experience. We offer this in even-numbered summers: we meet daily for three weeks, July 18–August 9, 2020, with three rest days (July 24, July 30, and August 4).

Class times: 10 a.m.–1 p.m., 2–5 p.m.

Pricing for the Summer Immersion Program

Upon acceptance, a $500 deposit will reserve your slot.
Program: $2950 due the first day of the training (this includes the deposit)
Early bird: $2650 if paid in full by May 15 (this includes the deposit)

During the immersion program, you may buy class passes at Carolina Yoga Company at a very discounted rate—all your fee goes right to the teachers.

Lead Faculty

The training is led by Sage Rountree and Lies Sapp, Carolina Yoga Company’s owners, with Jenni Tarma, studio manager.

Sage Rountree, primary teacher, is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the highest level (E-RYT500). Internationally recognized as a master teacher, she is on the faculty of the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and teaches workshops nationwide. Author of seven books, including The Athlete’s Guide to Yoga,Everyday Yoga, and Lifelong Yoga, Sage writes for Yoga Journal on the pedagogy and business of teaching yoga. She holds a PhD in English literature; during her study at UNC–Chapel Hill, she worked with graduate students to help them grow as teachers and chaired the English department’s Peer Review Committee. Sage’s approach to yoga is accessible, clear, and recognizes that the mental and spiritual practice of yoga is integrally important to the physical experience.

Lies Sapp, program administrator, is a former trial lawyer and a whiz at keeping track of details. Her certification as a Registered Yoga Teacher has shown her how to keep a teacher training pertinent, exciting, and fulfilling. Lies is also bringing back some fun and unusual experiences from her recent yoga junkets to India.

Jenni Tarma, studio manager, is an anatomy geek whose classes respectfully question alignment principles, so that each student can find personal balance in each pose. Jenni holds a 500-hour certification in anatomy and physiology via Yoga Medicine, as well as an additional 500-hr certification in biomechanics via Jules Mitchell.

Adjunct Faculty

In true “great books” style, we go right to the source as we study the major styles of yoga practiced in America today. We’ll investigate:

Alignment-Based Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga

Classical Yoga

Flow Yoga

Jivamukti Yoga

Kids’ Yoga

Kundalini Yoga

Kunga Vinyasa Yoga

Partner Yoga

Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Prenatal Yoga

Restorative Yoga

Yin Yoga

Yoga for Seniors

Drawing on the wealth of authentic, experienced teachers in the Triangle, we welcome guest teachers who will present on their respective styles. Our faculty includes:

FAQ

Q: What is the size of your program?

A: We have a minimum of six students, and a maximum of sixteen. Our eight-month programs usually fill by late August, our intensive by the start of July, our weekday program in December. Apply sooner than later to guarantee your spot.

Q: What makes your program unique?

A: We are very proud of our “great books” format, which will take you straight to direct sources representing each of the major styles of yoga practiced in America. Instead of telling you what to think about yoga, our program encourages you to investigate your preconceptions as you develop a new understanding of what yoga is and how you should teach it.

Q: I’m not sure I plan to teach. Is this program still for me?

A: Yes! Many folks enter teacher training programs to deepen their understanding of yoga and find ways to direct their personal practice. Whether or not you become a teacher, you’ll grow in ways you haven’t expected.

Q: What if I have to pull out of the program?

A: Should you have to withdraw from the program before it begins, you’ll receive a refund, minus a $150 administrative fee, according to this schedule, depending on the reason:

Voluntary Withdrawal from the Program

Should you have to withdraw from the program before it begins, you’ll receive a refund, minus a $150 administrative fee, according to this schedule:

Summer Intensive: 100 percent by July 1; 50 percent between July 1 and the program start. Refunds after the start date will be in the form of a credit toward the next teacher training program cycle.

Eight-Month Program: 100 percent by August 1; 75 percent by August 15; 50 percent by September 1. Refunds after September 1 will be in the form of a credit toward the next teacher training program cycle.

Nine-Week Hybrid Program: 100 percent by December 1; 50 percent between December 1 and the program start. Refunds after the start date will be in the form of a credit toward the next teacher training program style.

Involuntary Withdrawal from the Program

Should you be requested to withdraw from the program for any reason, you will receive a refund, minus a $150 administrative fee, according to this schedule:

Summer Intensive: 100 percent by July 1; 50 percent between July 1 and the program start. Refunds after the program start date will be in the form of a credit toward the next teacher training program cycle.

Eight-Month Program: 100 percent by August 1; 75 percent by August 15; 50 percent by September 1. Refunds after September 1 will be in the form of a credit toward the next teacher training program cycle.

Nine-Week Hybrid Program: 100 percent by December 1; 50 percent between December 1 and the program start. Refunds after the program start date will be in the form of a credit toward the next teacher training program cycle.

Should the staff of Carolina Yoga Company Yoga Teacher Training determine that the candidate will not be welcome in any subsequent teacher training at Carolina Yoga, the student will receive a pro-rata refund calculated by the tuition minus $150 administrative fee.

Q: Does completing the program guarantee graduation?

A: No; the staff of Carolina Yoga Company Yoga Teacher Training reserve the right to refuse to graduate any individual that they, in their sole discretion, determine does not meet the requirements of graduation. Nongraduation after completion of the program will not result in a refund of any kind.

Q: I can’t make a particular day or weekend. Can I make it up?

A: If you miss a day, you may pay for a tutorial to cover the material you have missed. We’ll arrange these case-by-case. If you must miss multiple sessions, consider waiting for the next training.

Testimonials

“Going through any yoga training program is transformative, as you get a chance to refine your own practice as you learn to teach to others. What makes this program special is that Sage and Lies serve as guides on the river of yoga. By that, I mean that the CYCo. YTT program offers an overview of yoga, rather than focusing on one specific style of yoga. A big turnoff for me is when people preach a certain type of yoga as ‘the truth’ or the ‘right’ or ‘only’ type of yoga. At the heart of the YTT program is a focus on discovering YOUR truth and YOUR type of yoga—the type that speaks to you. I feel like I am ready to teach my truth, rather than teaching a specific style taught to me. My yoga borrows from a lot of the different styles we’ve learned about in the program (from Sage and Lies and from awesome guest teachers!)—and some of these styles I will likely explore in more depth as my yoga journey continues. I would also say that the community built in this program is amazing to me. I have learned so much from my fellow YTTers, as we are encouraged to share our opinions and ideas. I have come to respect the others in the program very much, as I see them learning and teaching what feels right and true to them. It’s a really beautiful program: there are moments that will challenge you, enlighten you, and change you!”

—Alexandra DeSiato

“The Carolina Yoga Company 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program is AMAZING. I realized long ago that one of the best way to learn something is to teach. This first happened for me when I started auto racing. I started the traditional way by going to racing schools and then private instruction. But it wasn’t until I started instructing others (both aspiring race car drivers as well as law enforcement officers) that I became aware of just how much more one could learn through teaching.

“I learned the value of how yoga could help with a balanced life in my second racing career when I signed Sage Rountree on as my endurance bicycle racing coach. After five years and some pretty big bucket-list achievements, yoga was calling to me as something I wanted to deepen my understanding of. I had no real aspirations to become a regular yoga teacher, but yoga teacher training seemed like a great way for me to expand my horizons. And the hybrid program, in particular, was just so well suited to my schedule that it was impossible to turn down.

“I had very high expectations for YTT with Sage and Lies. I’m good friends with several of their graduates (who all raved about the program). I had taken many classes from Sage and heard of many of the guest instructors. Even with all that, my expectations were completely blown away. The quality of the instruction is incredible and the depth is strong even though this program does not pretend to be an in-depth look at any particular style of yoga. On the contrary, you will be challenged with yoga experiences that are as diverse as they are intense. Your body will change, but in a good way. Your mind will change even more. It seemed like everyone fell in love with different things, and almost without fail people fell in love with things they would have never expected, myself included.

“And most importantly, you will leave feeling confident that you can, indeed, teach yoga. You will still need experience to be a great yoga teacher, but you will have the foundation and the confidence to go forth and get that experience. I simply can not recommend this program highly enough for anyone who wants to deepen their own practice or learn how to teach.”

—Donnie Barnes

“What I have learned from your program has enriched my life. It started out because I wanted a well-rounded experience of what yoga was and had to offer. To be able to make informed decisions on who I wanted to be as a yoga teacher. What I received was so much more. I learned so much about yoga, about fundamentals and practice. But more importantly, I learned so much about myself and what I am capable of. If you asked me a year ago if I could have accomplished all that I have accomplished since entering your program I would have laughed. I would have said ‘maybe next year.’

“The question I have been asked most is ‘why are you traveling so far?’ The answer was always the same. Your training program offers exposure to things I can’t possibly get locally. Different types of yoga we never see here. But your program offers so much more than that. It offers a safe, inviting place for teachers and yogis to come into their own. To explore and flourish—not just types of or aspects of yoga, but personal aspects of oneself. It was worth every train ride, delay, every obstacle that I encountered.”

—Christy Serafini
Jacksonville, Florida

“The CYCo. teacher training program is the best kind of 200[-hour-]level training if you’re seeking to learn more about the modern and traditional styles of yoga. Sage and Lies do a wonderful job of providing students with a blend of what has shaped yoga into what it is today. I’m confident that having a variety of eclectic experiences will keep my personal practice and teaching style interesting. It’s not so much important that one enjoys all the [styles presented] as it is about challenging one’s mindset as to what yoga should be and what makes one feel comfortable. Many of us have learned that we may need the opposite of what we are used to in order to find better balance in our lives.”

—Larissa Via

“The ‘Great Books’ format of this training sets it apart. There’s a very broad and deep yoga talent pool in the Triangle and Wilmington areas. Sage and Lies have tapped into that pool and given us access to many brilliant teachers from widely different styles. This has had a wonderful cross-fertilization effect for me. After teaching a couple of classes a week for almost ten years, I was beginning to get a little stale. I’m confident this training will help me stay fresh and enthusiastic for another ten years . . . all the way to age 70!”

—Dan Wines

“I am more than happy to rave about the training—I have been overjoyed!!! The training is very well organized. The sequence of how and what is presented when makes logical sense and is very deliberate in how it unfolds. Lies and Sage got us up practice teaching the first weekend, which was great: no time like the present! I have felt very supported throughout. One of my favorite parts is that the training includes exposure to lots of different types of yoga, from prenatal to Iyengar to Ashtanga to classical, etc. I think this is fantastic for an initial training—they have brought in leading folks for these. What a great opportunity! Lies and Sage have also paid wonderful attention to group process: we are a wonderfully diverse and supportive group.”